Tomball and Magnolia Independent School Districts expect to add thousands of students in the next decade, and both districts have hired demographers to keep close track of where growth is happening in each district. In response to the growth in the northeast and southern regions of the district, voters in Tomball ISD approved a $160 million bond in May to fund four new schools and pay for renovations at all existing schools.
Tomball ISD's enrollment grew 6.2 percent in 2013, adding an additional 727 students from last year and bringing the total to 12,499 students. The district is expected to grow by 700 to 800 students each year during the next six years, and then between 400 to 600 students a year to close out the decade, according to the demographer's report presented to the district at the end of 2013. In the 2023-24 school year, the district's enrollment is projected to be 19,246 students, the report says.
"Our student enrollment continues to increase, indicating that our community is growing," Tomball ISD Director of Communications Staci Stanfield said. "We are fortunate that voters approved Bond 2013, which will enable us to serve our students as our enrollment increases. We will continue to monitor growth projections and plan accordingly for the future."
The surge in enrollment is attributed to the area's explosive population growth, fueled by energy companies moving to the area such as Baker Hughes, Noble Energy and ExxonMobil, said Magnolia ISD Superintendent Todd Stephens. In addition, transportation improvements in the area, including the construction of the Hwy. 249 tollway, the widening of FM 1488 and the Grand Parkway, will help with congestion and open the area to more development and additional home sales, Stephens said.
